The History of Cartier

The jeweler of kings, the king of jewelers. Since 1847, Cartier has defined luxury with iconic designs like the Santos, Tank, and Ballon Bleu.

Paris Origins

Louis-Francois Cartier founded the house in Paris in 1847. His grandson Louis revolutionized watchmaking by creating the Santos in 1904—the first modern wristwatch for men.

Iconic Designs

The Tank (1917), inspired by WWI tanks, became a symbol of Art Deco elegance. The Santos, Ballon Bleu, and Panthere have each achieved icon status.

Key Collections

Santos, Tank, Ballon Bleu, Panthere, Drive de Cartier

Today, as part of Richemont, Cartier continues to create timepieces that are as much jewelry as they are watches.